Off-road newbie: what would you not do without when wheelin'

[NPC 20883467]

If you have a 3.6 that needs to be put down.

Geezo, from what I hear from all the neg on 3.6L, is why waste a bullet, when the horse is dead?

Closure... Satisfaction....

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[Alpha8MG]

Portable compressor, I've never been in such a hurry i didn't have time to air back up one at a time.

 

[GraniteWilly]

Great advice by everyone here, thank you! With help from this list I have so far acquired:

Air Compressor (Fanttik X9 Ultra)
Jumper cables
First aid kit
Basic tool set

Cheers.

 

[djthumper]

If you air down you should air up. The compressor you get will decide how long it takes you to air up.

Soft shackles
Recovery strap
traction boards
First Aid Kit

 

[wibornz]

If you wheel alone or in remote areas invest in a Spot or similar satellite emergency beacon. In emergency situations it will get SAR to you quicker and notify family/friends of an issue. I've seen the value of them when people have been injured in wilderness sittings far away from help.

I used to use a Garmin Inreach. I have used it to rescue us in Alaska to get a tow truck on the Dalton HYW up near the Arctic Circle. I do not use it anymore. The Apple 13 iPhones and above allow you to use satellites to text when other services are not available and do not have the $30 a month plan like the Garmin has. I recently switched from Verison to T-Mobile as now my phone has access for data and normal cell activities via Starling when other types of connections are not accessible.

 

[wibornz]

Great advice by everyone here, thank you! With help from this list I have so far acquired:

Air Compressor (Fanttik X9 Ultra)
Jumper cables
First aid kit
Basic tool set

Cheers.

Skip the upper cable and carry a jump box so that another vehicle is not needed.

 

[Terrymo]

I used to use a Garmin Inreach. I have used it to rescue us in Alaska to get a tow truck on the Dalton HYW up near the Arctic Circle. I do not use it anymore. The Apple 13 iPhones and above allow you to use satellites to text when other services are not available and do not have the $30 a month plan like the Garmin has. I recently switched from Verison to T-Mobile as now my phone has access for data and normal cell activities via Starling when other types of connections are not accessible.

Ok anecdotal but I wanted to send a text after my radiator blew on top of a mountain under a heavy tree canopy. I walked in circles for quite a while holding my iPhone up over my head trying to get it to lock on a satellite with no luck. Our Garmin in-reach worked. If needed I could have hiked to a better spot and the iPhone may have worked. YMMV.

 

[wibornz]

The best thing to bring with you is your brain and making honest assessments of the obstacles. I have a rule that I follow especially when wheeling solo. I wheel to 70% of my vehicles capabilities and my driving skills. That allows for a 30% buffer in capabilities for my vehicle and my driving. There is nothing wrong with, hey it might be better to bypass this or turn around. type of attitude.

Risk assessment should be made honestly. The hold my beer types are usually the ones that get dragged off the trail.

We will travel 70+ miles off the road at time and go way up into the mountains or out into the desert. Prepare for what you plan to do and then do what you plan to do. Meaning you bring things with you that the plan dictates. All ways have a base set of things you bring like recovery gear, food and water and basic tools.

I personally would not wheel with out a Tazer or something similar that will clear codes and get the Jeep out of limp mode. Something stupid like riding the brakes down long grades have caused others' Jeep to go into limp mode. Or a speed sensor acting up throwing a code causing one of the brakes to lock up. or a false reading putting the Jeep into limp mode. I have seen these things happen to others on the trail and using the Tazer, I have cleared the codes and kept going.

I am not sure how much it would cost to get towed 70+ miles out of the desert or mountains, but I can tell you that a tow off the Dalton HYW was $874. While that was caused by a wheel bearing failure, theater are many things that can put a Jeep into limp mode and limping many miles off the trail to a road or dlimping many miles to a Jeep dealership can be avoided just by using a Tazer to clear the code and keep moving.

 

[3TV]

You've received lots of great advice already in this thread, and I won't go over that again. One cheap item that has not been mentioned yet is a Colby valve. It is a valve stem that can be installed from the outside of the rim. This is very helpful if you ever damage a valve stem on the trail.

Amazon.com: Colby Valve Ultimate Permanent Tire Valve Stem Replacement System | Valve Stem Short | No Need to Remove Tire | Tire Valve Stem Kit Made in USA from Quality 360 Brass Components : Automotive

 

[Terrymo]

OnX or Trails Offroad or similar

 

[TEAMSLO]

Pretty big question here. As a beginner or someone who does not wheel regularly, assuming they are doing easy trails...
- spare tire or patch/plug kit and the means/knowledge to change it
- extra water/food (at least 24 hours worth, I bring extra for others as well)
- another rig to accompany you
- items for airing down/up (besides grip and flexing tires over rocks, the comfort)

Then the list goes on and on from there
- radio (I have a mobile unit but bring extra handhelds for spotting and others that radio is down)
- food
- legit 1st aid kit
- quality and purposeful fire extinguisher
- yes winch and other recovery gear
- basic tools and fuses


The list can and does go much further

 

[Chowbaby]

#1 - Always go with a buddy or at least go on popular trails/at times where you're most likely to encounter other vehicles. Having said that, if wheeling solo, my list of important would be (1) winch, (2) recovery gear (3) air compressor (I just throw a portable one in my trunk); (4) shovel and traction boards. The most important part is ensure as best you can to recover out of sticky situations. I would also scope out trail ratings/reviews and start with easier difficulty to get a feel. Have fun!

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